The impact of global economic challenges on Kuwait's food prices, as highlighted by Mishaal Al-Manea and Fahd Al-Arbash, underscores significant issues facing consumers and businesses alike:

1. Rising Operating Costs: Restaurants in Kuwait are grappling with increased operating costs, driven primarily by higher prices for basic commodities like chicken. For instance, imported frozen chicken prices have surged from 600 to 900 fils, while local chicken prices have risen to 1,250 dinars. This increase is attributed to global production declines and logistical challenges.
2. Global Economic Turmoil: Factors such as military operations in the Red Sea, the Ukraine conflict, and broader Middle East tensions have disrupted global supply chains. These disruptions, compounded by ongoing COVID-19 impacts, have led to inflation in producing countries and increased shipping costs, directly affecting prices in Kuwait.
3. Local Economic Implications: Kuwait has not been immune to these global risks, with food prices rising significantly in the first half of the year. Price increases range from 10 to 30 percent across different commodities, impacting both consumer purchasing power and business profitability.
4. Challenges for Restaurants: Restaurant owners are constrained by strict regulatory controls from the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, which prevent them from adjusting meal prices without approval. Some argue that current price levels do not reflect the true cost of operations and may compromise food quality over time.
5. Policy Recommendations: To mitigate these challenges, experts like Al-Manea and Al-Arbash advocate for policies that support local production, improve transportation infrastructure to reduce costs, and target support measures specifically to low-income families. They also stress the importance of liberalizing meal prices to reflect market realities and combat potential fraud in the restaurant sector.

Overall, the situation in Kuwait reflects broader global economic pressures impacting food security, inflation rates, and business operations. Addressing these issues will require coordinated efforts from government entities, businesses, and consumers to ensure sustainable economic resilience and food affordability in the face of ongoing global uncertainties.